County staff propose doubling parental leave and shortening eligibility period; commissioners ask HR to draft policy

Weber County human-resources staff proposed expanding parental‑leave benefits so non‑birthing parents who adopt, foster or are the other parent would receive four weeks of paid parental leave (currently two weeks). The county would keep medical maternity leave for birthing employees at four weeks, yielding up to eight weeks' paid time for those who physically give birth under the proposed formula. HR also recommended cutting the eligibility threshold from 12 months to six months of employment so more employees would qualify sooner.

Emily Wild framed the change as an alignment with surrounding counties and a way to reduce employees’ reliance on sick leave: "My opinion would be 4 weeks of parental leave," she said, and added that several peer counties already offer more generous policies. Commissioners broadly supported the proposal and asked HR to draft formal policy wording and route it to the county attorney for review; a formal vote was not taken in the work session.

Staff provided a fiscal estimate for doubling parental leave based on 2025 usage and explained that many employees who take leave currently use sick leave or other paid time, so the net additional cash cost would be modest in year one; the total projected cost figures were shown in staff materials and will be included in a draft policy packet.

What’s next: HR will prepare a draft policy reflecting 4 weeks of parental leave (with medical maternity unchanged at 4 weeks), six‑month eligibility for paid leave, and a cost estimate for the board to review in a formal agenda packet.